India opened its first floating border outpost on the Arabian Sea to check incursions by suspected criminals from Pakistan, an official said.

India on Friday opened its first floating border outpost on the Arabian Sea to check incursions by suspected criminals from Pakistan, an official said.

Deputy inspector general of the Border Security Force, K.R. Patel, told AFP that a flat-bottomed vessel called the Dwarka will be permanently stationed off Jhaku, a costal town in the western state of Gujarat.

He said that the border security officials had often found abandoned boats and small vessels on the innumerable creeks near the Gujarat coast which they suspected were used by smugglers or other criminals.

But they could not do much about it as it was difficult to patrol these areas with only small boats that could not stay in the sea for more than 36 hours.

"The results are yet to be seen as the border outpost is still on trial, but if things go as planned then Dwarka will help in guarding the Indian waters on western border better," he said.

"This will in turn help bring down the infiltration from Pakistan through the tricky creeks in the region."

The floating border outpost can remain in the sea for over a month and well-equipped with provisions including food, medical and recreational facilities, Patel added.